tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328101242024-03-18T19:48:16.586-07:00AtomicZebra7Pole vaulting over mouse turds ... just because I can.Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.comBlogger334125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-66580883590057765002011-09-17T05:43:00.000-07:002011-09-17T06:23:22.879-07:00Miss Sunshine becomes Mrs. Skeeter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95eJ1JiMGHiJ9cESl6mGBk8Y7Tt2O14Y3y9Wb7wJDfgPvDDFklD9hMN0leMVkqg4ZXuiJJKanl5Ta3xwVs587hY-1QyHnHYHOeqJpcGIR9iyJ3TegPv6FGtN52RLdcryJny9Bww/s1600/%255B084499%255D030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95eJ1JiMGHiJ9cESl6mGBk8Y7Tt2O14Y3y9Wb7wJDfgPvDDFklD9hMN0leMVkqg4ZXuiJJKanl5Ta3xwVs587hY-1QyHnHYHOeqJpcGIR9iyJ3TegPv6FGtN52RLdcryJny9Bww/s400/%255B084499%255D030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653317175327983874" /></a><br />Ladies and Gentlemen, it is completely official now! Miss Sunshine and I are married. I love her very much. Life is very good indeed.Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-80001114194898632622011-09-13T19:45:00.000-07:002011-09-13T20:00:17.020-07:00Duck a l'Orange for grins<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcZ1RN8Dh5F8fF9tAU4WZNhunhu3IbEViihZmk1oM0GWqHs7o6UFAFPqHDSdUSzS2E2eJm3TYnpMNn8361ve9WHaB8Z9RnMb51qGh4EVrpL8hoHTPLhjvT6lIxkOuhAN-2KfjXQ/s1600/01-13-2011+034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcZ1RN8Dh5F8fF9tAU4WZNhunhu3IbEViihZmk1oM0GWqHs7o6UFAFPqHDSdUSzS2E2eJm3TYnpMNn8361ve9WHaB8Z9RnMb51qGh4EVrpL8hoHTPLhjvT6lIxkOuhAN-2KfjXQ/s400/01-13-2011+034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652041401424188850" /></a><br />Duck a l'Orange is a favorite treat here and there's none better than Julia Child's take on the classic French recipe. It's not hard to make, but it does take a long time to prepare correctly. If you get good ingredients, a nice duck and plump, sweet oranges, you'll do just fine. There are some special things you will need like some cooking twine, spices, liquer, etc., but they aren't expensive or troublesome. It's a great meal and the kids love it too! A little expensive, but every once in awhile, SPLURGE!Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-8923194367648726952011-07-03T00:08:00.000-07:002011-07-03T00:13:16.425-07:00It's just too HOT this summer!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX52HGQ2SR0l9W9kAJSKRHiJbl_-CdytASc518R4_CRVm80Afz3VeFLMQxm-iqkNItAVO14YA3BTTdZGY7Tv3zyRpxK2CzLdTKyK6mWTIZUU14YO6tJOFc8Jf_d86wUcT83Vw-w/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX52HGQ2SR0l9W9kAJSKRHiJbl_-CdytASc518R4_CRVm80Afz3VeFLMQxm-iqkNItAVO14YA3BTTdZGY7Tv3zyRpxK2CzLdTKyK6mWTIZUU14YO6tJOFc8Jf_d86wUcT83Vw-w/s400/DSC_0067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625020291661823762" /></a><br />It's way too hot this summer. Even the animals at the Zoo have to take a breather in this this weather. When was the last time you went to the zoo? It's fun ... but be prepared to sweat!Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-8583113419903956462011-06-15T23:04:00.000-07:002011-06-15T23:07:23.963-07:00Some days ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8OiFLoYseGMyr0wdXeqj7AGJuZwiyYJfqgLMoxttvWdIqZHvGbyezIqh1An-EWiEkWuvRJ-kE593q5hqPHpE-Yzj6MU7GoSYMXc91Pv5uOZC4bQLWOo9AE4w_jAVkVZ41eoWfA/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8OiFLoYseGMyr0wdXeqj7AGJuZwiyYJfqgLMoxttvWdIqZHvGbyezIqh1An-EWiEkWuvRJ-kE593q5hqPHpE-Yzj6MU7GoSYMXc91Pv5uOZC4bQLWOo9AE4w_jAVkVZ41eoWfA/s400/055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618695116206514114" /></a><br />Good grief! Have you evr had one of THESE sorts of days?Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-76868012823209354492011-06-08T07:33:00.000-07:002011-06-08T07:43:38.827-07:00Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqxT4PX33YU_0o226GYZvqnMYGYLQrtwWbitBepcFI_-a1BRZEY6bybhijVncF1TGC7e1HqnSBzNH6TaGG5YgjuiTWhn7DJOAMbQOyY11TzLrqK2DMgFnN66GaSw4JBpvnWscrg/s1600/Dons+Pics+3JUN2011+058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqxT4PX33YU_0o226GYZvqnMYGYLQrtwWbitBepcFI_-a1BRZEY6bybhijVncF1TGC7e1HqnSBzNH6TaGG5YgjuiTWhn7DJOAMbQOyY11TzLrqK2DMgFnN66GaSw4JBpvnWscrg/s400/Dons+Pics+3JUN2011+058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615858196612926290" /></a><br />This is the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas. It doesn't look lik much on the outside ... or the insde ... but this where Dr. Pepper was bottled when the concern went commercial way back when. Of course times have moved on, machinery become more sophisticated, and corporate realities require FAR bigger building, BUT this is still something to stop by and see. The best part of the museum tour may be the ice cream and soda parlor on the first floor. Ask fo a Dr. Pepper milk shake. They'll put heaps of ice cream into a metal cup. Then they'll add a spalsh of milk. Next will come a super big shot of Dr. Pepper syrup - yep, the same stuff the add soda water to make Dr. Pepper that everyone knows and loves. Then they'll put all the ingredients into a mixer and blend until it's creamy and smooth. They'll put it into a large cup and hand you a straw, but it's best to scoop it up with a spoon. It's THAT good!Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-70874343071144127842011-06-06T22:54:00.000-07:002011-06-06T22:59:12.229-07:00They'll let ANYONE drive these days!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvA6oxb6eE2Y2UlgNXkTjnhcKjswY8dliIaVuQ9k5H-Erm_MPSAiJpORYvi-AFClRpxv7GR3MvkK_Pp-GDbl-CpazfcHQ7aSXAA4Q0lYdoJ3I_E_aDTQTysNOoOJB43ZREvYOTQ/s1600/Dons+Pics+3JUN2011+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvA6oxb6eE2Y2UlgNXkTjnhcKjswY8dliIaVuQ9k5H-Erm_MPSAiJpORYvi-AFClRpxv7GR3MvkK_Pp-GDbl-CpazfcHQ7aSXAA4Q0lYdoJ3I_E_aDTQTysNOoOJB43ZREvYOTQ/s400/Dons+Pics+3JUN2011+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615353230331441154" /></a><br />Hey! Share the road buddy!!!Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-26813522617984654262011-06-05T21:58:00.000-07:002011-06-05T22:00:41.175-07:00Sheba in the Storm Shelter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesCD9O-v1s6pMbXyTxBVDheUBIrvq83mc86BKxMBf-UEjDlGTypCpWUysg2-JqYpPTcjoTyJAdW-XEbltfmcZyC-pMo4YAfkB2-hH25x-mV1k_BWfMf6tTgGqfUiFLb16xz20Ng/s1600/Dons+Pics+3JUN2011+067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesCD9O-v1s6pMbXyTxBVDheUBIrvq83mc86BKxMBf-UEjDlGTypCpWUysg2-JqYpPTcjoTyJAdW-XEbltfmcZyC-pMo4YAfkB2-hH25x-mV1k_BWfMf6tTgGqfUiFLb16xz20Ng/s400/Dons+Pics+3JUN2011+067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614967146389288146" /></a><br />Yes, Sheba Kitty, that WAS a tornado!Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-74023921951545461162011-06-03T05:54:00.001-07:002011-06-03T06:12:35.230-07:00Schilo's Delicatessen in San AntonioAfter hearing so much GOOD being spoken about Schilo's Delicatessen in San Antonio, I decided to give it a try. Schilo's is a little place just off the fabuluous Riverwalk. It's famous for it's ham-heavy split-pea soup. I'm told that the best way to sample the split soup is with a "Polish neighbor" which is deli-speak for a side order of polish sausage. The waitress came took my order and sat a big frosty German beer down beside the silverware. A little while later the food came ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7GMXEIjYFtg5YXzCXcZ5h74iqmFD14P7dpkjGqa7-aAJ5MWzXGrP4AjwVi4lVhDBNLUDJMgvWI6O_rywP8Dtz0NyjqmzVK_EGd9OOIqq-QGPFDEFD2V_jXiIs-R82KXNenLKdQ/s1600/Dons+Pics+3JUN2011+050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7GMXEIjYFtg5YXzCXcZ5h74iqmFD14P7dpkjGqa7-aAJ5MWzXGrP4AjwVi4lVhDBNLUDJMgvWI6O_rywP8Dtz0NyjqmzVK_EGd9OOIqq-QGPFDEFD2V_jXiIs-R82KXNenLKdQ/s400/Dons+Pics+3JUN2011+050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613978682157594642" /></a><br />Yes, an underwhelming presentation. Are looks deceiving??? NO!!! Maybe if my "Polish neighbor" wasn't required to swim for its life ... maybe if even a crumble of ham was visible ... maybe if it didn't vibrate like that when it hit the table ...<br /><br />I had to ask the waitress what happened. Was someone new in the kitchen? Tears came to her eyes. Yes, the kitchen staff was new and she was a bakery person drafted into waiting tables. I told her that the beer was good and tipped as I left - vowing not to come back until the kitchen staff had actually learned the recipe that I'd heard so much about.Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-28853298144106602522011-05-31T20:34:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:40:03.939-07:00In Lotus land and loving it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOb44_1QW05MONM1TSlrDvkGj4H97MRyO3vUchKhfuJ7oKVrJRYhAWTcpTGtj89OqMdqCq3kH8zuS4pOtkimqUvnRTcOavlFW_-YsQWjxTsL5rKJZ8O1L_x995CxmTwVb3sxPXg/s1600/Some+Duplicates+159.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOb44_1QW05MONM1TSlrDvkGj4H97MRyO3vUchKhfuJ7oKVrJRYhAWTcpTGtj89OqMdqCq3kH8zuS4pOtkimqUvnRTcOavlFW_-YsQWjxTsL5rKJZ8O1L_x995CxmTwVb3sxPXg/s400/Some+Duplicates+159.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613090926970217586" /></a><br />Just one of those kinds of days!Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-17908808842210419612011-05-18T10:01:00.001-07:002011-05-18T10:02:45.100-07:00Dog Taunting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPgbwDg1y-65yVJKkjSGyWMoQFSYZRQqyKejBi7KsTcqiCB8qleUQklXiR_HyZyOBnHTKCjaYfkCHWQJ6cRsyAufzv7v76DU-OUlvlKCvoRHHuZSkFKm6dSbkXv4mhh_J0f4zOg/s1600/05-16-2011+iPhone+Images+028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPgbwDg1y-65yVJKkjSGyWMoQFSYZRQqyKejBi7KsTcqiCB8qleUQklXiR_HyZyOBnHTKCjaYfkCHWQJ6cRsyAufzv7v76DU-OUlvlKCvoRHHuZSkFKm6dSbkXv4mhh_J0f4zOg/s400/05-16-2011+iPhone+Images+028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608102488770951410" /></a><br />Sheba, my naughty kitty has a new hobby ...Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-33663825179831631152011-05-16T12:03:00.001-07:002011-05-16T12:04:59.235-07:00Bread al-Carbon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBo9Duw0RDVlGYatq2RHv7taRr81NhMsny9oHcgJCnIFoyjZJCkBCfcYWko-GGp69WsHpgvTKAVjFETC5sN4FGZu-T9cVpJS6nw0EKckHc5wmHS6PJK8IQGnc8RNVK5QkACgDmA/s1600/05-16-2011+iPhone+Images+072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBo9Duw0RDVlGYatq2RHv7taRr81NhMsny9oHcgJCnIFoyjZJCkBCfcYWko-GGp69WsHpgvTKAVjFETC5sN4FGZu-T9cVpJS6nw0EKckHc5wmHS6PJK8IQGnc8RNVK5QkACgDmA/s400/05-16-2011+iPhone+Images+072.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607391958507870098" /></a><br />Don't you just hate it when that happens?Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-79196687628217841462010-10-25T19:52:00.001-07:002010-10-25T19:54:44.659-07:00Top of the World!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ctt-Q6NlV0JNOMSBSm5E1vZIdKgybmgInq5qsNGpzXRrvx7SZQdfSM2UZHMMaJBPJChU47bULjc265Lhqz5sSt0NAf__q0xDZ0zpEHl8ZLJae9pVJkPE2AdVqPhtuZVgbaFDDA/s1600/Photo0747.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ctt-Q6NlV0JNOMSBSm5E1vZIdKgybmgInq5qsNGpzXRrvx7SZQdfSM2UZHMMaJBPJChU47bULjc265Lhqz5sSt0NAf__q0xDZ0zpEHl8ZLJae9pVJkPE2AdVqPhtuZVgbaFDDA/s400/Photo0747.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532182535654658610" /></a><br />I'm back!Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-31876443166914908182010-07-06T20:23:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:27:55.727-07:00To My Newest & Most Avid Reader ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonY91I-p1mRX7TTfKcEQ8UP8r6atIhy058seBJ3foErh8hg2BiAa7wivqhuagJxyVD7Y1TuJAFJyoSz-1zU2vh5Sde_t0VRonE-lrYr1lvDdFN7bE25o7MDv7i_z10wxHMi0aKw/s1600/congrats_douchebag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonY91I-p1mRX7TTfKcEQ8UP8r6atIhy058seBJ3foErh8hg2BiAa7wivqhuagJxyVD7Y1TuJAFJyoSz-1zU2vh5Sde_t0VRonE-lrYr1lvDdFN7bE25o7MDv7i_z10wxHMi0aKw/s400/congrats_douchebag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491000176662022418" /></a><br />Yes, you're a douchebag for all the ridiculous and stupid, red-neck things you do, say and profess to be true. So, just in case you aren't familiar with what a Douchebag REALLY is ... enjoy this ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrauv07cEjOAz_baS0J0zUtt4s_6ZCeHKJOggPQ4aPTrXbyfYg-smbdCPtmqjUUCf6RQ4-cRKSWiYf-MqcdTBuFjqdQB3zDXDQ3LpZ3dZ8qOGzBGCedKcQL9HCI2KnKkRmQ8DV8g/s1600/douchebag_equip.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrauv07cEjOAz_baS0J0zUtt4s_6ZCeHKJOggPQ4aPTrXbyfYg-smbdCPtmqjUUCf6RQ4-cRKSWiYf-MqcdTBuFjqdQB3zDXDQ3LpZ3dZ8qOGzBGCedKcQL9HCI2KnKkRmQ8DV8g/s400/douchebag_equip.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491000786088330114" /></a>Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-78666581616377454032010-06-21T06:47:00.000-07:002010-06-21T07:02:20.664-07:00Really Good Beans?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5_S2W_ygJzzLsfxtWEbPcH-gxFDI0BKBqSdMdrgKp3XbpwAgJ1LxgWJy6dGAi1YdxfcaXJ4j6kz9gEN40ATpiKhmvGBTi4nZ0FHe-cL1kUesVlvLxceLqVcMD89jp_euW3wHSw/s1600/Photo0543.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5_S2W_ygJzzLsfxtWEbPcH-gxFDI0BKBqSdMdrgKp3XbpwAgJ1LxgWJy6dGAi1YdxfcaXJ4j6kz9gEN40ATpiKhmvGBTi4nZ0FHe-cL1kUesVlvLxceLqVcMD89jp_euW3wHSw/s400/Photo0543.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485224935550391490" /></a><br />Have you ever seen a pack of something at the store and bought it just to see how it would taste? Here is the experiment of the day ... the Anasazi Bean. <br /><br />It appears that this colorful, brown and white bean has been around for a very long time. Some say that it has a richer flavor and creamier texture than other beans. One of my favorite beans is the Pinto Bean which makes great refried beans. Also, the pinto tastes great when cooked with some pork, especially ham hocks. Can't wait to get the "ancient heirloom" Anasazi Beans into the pot!<br /><br />Anyone care for a dish?Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-10319888187453763322010-06-19T20:26:00.000-07:002010-06-19T20:29:31.552-07:00Somedays Are This Good<center><a href="http://magickalgraphics.com"><br /><img src="http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h268/mysticalmoon_2006/Miscellaneous/Love/love63.jpg" alt="Love Comments & Graphics" border="0"></a><br><a href="http://www.magickalgraphics.com/">~Magickal Graphics~</a></center><br /><br />I love you, Miss Sunshine!Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-56722665501364193292010-06-15T04:53:00.001-07:002010-06-15T04:55:02.791-07:00Rain, Rain ... More Rain<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcW2yZwc5782cSN7aPvBwRzI18LnaSfDfl80Rtn9EY3tnaYf1roPACpxfdvcvhBHSkLoRgrQnri-HGeJlrGt3rj4bkzRWPt5C4VUF3ix_t8xxtOrnZ-zV5rj9-7no4NkCNN8pLFA/s1600/Photo0540.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcW2yZwc5782cSN7aPvBwRzI18LnaSfDfl80Rtn9EY3tnaYf1roPACpxfdvcvhBHSkLoRgrQnri-HGeJlrGt3rj4bkzRWPt5C4VUF3ix_t8xxtOrnZ-zV5rj9-7no4NkCNN8pLFA/s400/Photo0540.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482967493999843474" /></a><br />So much rain came ... and more is on the way. Do you have enough where you are?Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-15357631728240982572010-06-05T15:40:00.000-07:002010-06-05T15:41:33.135-07:00Thought For The Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwGICaOoH3NBqxQYa7n-z36CmZZGHnBueGfywkj9GzwSdvmlm8FFOXMA7u06FxvM2WtbQcnzQOa40q95xictdtsPYQx-buWwhMGscRQf8WcWl3_fm397bOWXdRLqIx5hgLibZrA/s1600/Oh+No!.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwGICaOoH3NBqxQYa7n-z36CmZZGHnBueGfywkj9GzwSdvmlm8FFOXMA7u06FxvM2WtbQcnzQOa40q95xictdtsPYQx-buWwhMGscRQf8WcWl3_fm397bOWXdRLqIx5hgLibZrA/s400/Oh+No!.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479423245989180626" /></a>Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-74557588564807325392010-06-02T20:17:00.000-07:002010-06-02T20:24:40.616-07:00A New Path<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0XpAcsuJ749pskuBGR1kgO4_YD5bOD-N6nDouFJd4xX2Dee4yWQm2DGr9P5bhNKwxG_4sFARqp1Nq9bmhcwd7dgxXBts5GYbkMljriqQZ4f6fC2mHUexuGiFhLttGOMY2hQuqQ/s1600/Photo0531.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0XpAcsuJ749pskuBGR1kgO4_YD5bOD-N6nDouFJd4xX2Dee4yWQm2DGr9P5bhNKwxG_4sFARqp1Nq9bmhcwd7dgxXBts5GYbkMljriqQZ4f6fC2mHUexuGiFhLttGOMY2hQuqQ/s400/Photo0531.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478382260342558626" /></a><br />It's a good thing. Really :-)Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-6297602817735305642010-05-13T21:06:00.000-07:002010-05-13T23:10:05.114-07:00Turning PointsTurning points. Interesting things, these “turning points” are. They seek to define the single moment or the one pivotal event which made the eventual outcome of something, well, inevitable. I'm at one now, and it sure as Hell didn't show up on my radar until I got some bad news that really shook me right down to my roots. The worst of it is yet to come though. In a few hours from now, the other shoe will fall. <br /><br />Turning points. They should go by another name, the Lords of Cruelty. When you experience a realization of just how horrible a situation has become, that's when you know you're at a turning point. That's when it's time for you to wipe the slate clean so you aren't limited by yesterday's plans ... because they just didn't work. <br /><br />I'm told that now is the time to exert a higher level of self-determination over the weeks ahead if you are willing to make a decision today. But choosing which road to take isn't enough; you must also commit to giving one hundred percent until you accomplish your goal. Sound like good advice? A plan?<br /><br />I've been away from this blog for quite a while and much has changed in my life in the mean time. I will try to post more often. Thanks for visiting.Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-12024782018810386622010-04-15T22:10:00.000-07:002010-04-15T22:17:27.068-07:00Rock & Roll Hall of Fame<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ezBbjoL4Kh-R9la7T8J0EcBDzeElxodn1kQNgcyOwwlM1lUy7KtRS405iJodwjb3x_YpU2d2gLUSpvVPIn8L3fziZcjm3TW5awj-dL_JI6xH_Dm3Ng4jhY_A1v5mwQx3avKJhA/s1600/Photo0454.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460599241360709250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ezBbjoL4Kh-R9la7T8J0EcBDzeElxodn1kQNgcyOwwlM1lUy7KtRS405iJodwjb3x_YpU2d2gLUSpvVPIn8L3fziZcjm3TW5awj-dL_JI6xH_Dm3Ng4jhY_A1v5mwQx3avKJhA/s400/Photo0454.jpg" /></a><br />Wow! If you haven't been to the <a href="http://rockhall.com/">Rock and Roll Hall of Fame</a> in Cleveland, Ohio, you seriously need to visit this place. It's an awesome way to spend an afternoon. While you're there, see the U2 concert. It was fantastic.<br /><br />I don't have any pictures of the inside of the place because they prohibit photography inside the building.Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-32186773520335855662010-04-10T01:03:00.000-07:002010-04-10T01:05:43.574-07:00Hiya! Had to take some time off. A little R&R and a little recovery time too. Thanks for visiting. I appreciate it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2sR2vKR8NJwW2kt2SLZqWLKqvzUess3tQJ629Bu1n0dAHWIylPTCb7K17iu97gG2W6Yc0SELZxDx4C7Xq_pQ57tCTqGDT2VLPzE5IjQO8khZot2kQTWsqA0LqR8lyTFEHRuhLg/s1600/Photo0457.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2sR2vKR8NJwW2kt2SLZqWLKqvzUess3tQJ629Bu1n0dAHWIylPTCb7K17iu97gG2W6Yc0SELZxDx4C7Xq_pQ57tCTqGDT2VLPzE5IjQO8khZot2kQTWsqA0LqR8lyTFEHRuhLg/s400/Photo0457.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458416580178126770" /></a>Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-20056018672218183902010-04-10T00:58:00.000-07:002010-04-10T01:01:51.918-07:00Happy Birthday CourtneyHappy 21st Courtney!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD29KpbLHWLMEZPSX2R9509ksFE_Ql0ht4FTMFRK56Giq52rm1Usx-1TLDcBP219T5RC_DbLfB-ej9NBKbyprEsiuOimhQjP33jgcXBlRLhySTbOnwoyzEsEpKQEfpGdoPF58Zg/s1600/Photo0474.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD29KpbLHWLMEZPSX2R9509ksFE_Ql0ht4FTMFRK56Giq52rm1Usx-1TLDcBP219T5RC_DbLfB-ej9NBKbyprEsiuOimhQjP33jgcXBlRLhySTbOnwoyzEsEpKQEfpGdoPF58Zg/s400/Photo0474.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458415638954423058" /></a> <br />Many Happy Returns.Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-60073549400701973762010-03-13T21:25:00.001-08:002010-03-13T23:20:16.428-08:00"Hell" by Robert Olen Butler<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtlgHtkLgEXGPM_9Fn-2fQoLUBhb9MUrNoOrwjLCxd-q6KZYa2-5aAPPDRttlRU4Xr_L2074ZqQTU30v2cLXeH4GlVnOHgv0o6_Xa6jwJod8cUYIyrxuPA0-kyoRxcQDeV5zNVw/s1600-h/Photo0425.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtlgHtkLgEXGPM_9Fn-2fQoLUBhb9MUrNoOrwjLCxd-q6KZYa2-5aAPPDRttlRU4Xr_L2074ZqQTU30v2cLXeH4GlVnOHgv0o6_Xa6jwJod8cUYIyrxuPA0-kyoRxcQDeV5zNVw/s400/Photo0425.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448356802605926418" /></a><br />It's been a very long time since I reviewed a book on this blog, but there are times when something absolutely MUST be said, wrongs MUST be righted, goodness upheld and a flying drop kick MUST land right on some guy's beezer.<br /><br />We went to a local bookstore. Pulitzer Prize winning author, Robert Olen Butler, was giving a talk on his newest book, "Hell". These sorts of engagements are almost always fun, if not for the anecdotes, then for the fellowship with another writer. One or both of those is enough to get me to buy the book and give it a try.<br /><br />One of the things we learned about the story was that Mr. Butler's fourth wife had just ran off with Ted Turner. Yes, THAT Ted Turner. That's why Hell is set in Atlanta. Now, I've been to Atlanta a few times, so I can say with some certainty that Butler's version of Hell is a little different than Dante's or John Milton's - although the sex is the same. It would appear that nowhere is one to actually enjoy it, even by yourself.<br /><br />Another thing we learned about the book is that there are lots of people in Butler's "Hell" that one would expect to see in Hell. Dick Nixon, Anne Boleyn, and Bill Shakespeare to name a few. There are plenty that one wouldn't as well. The most important thing, it seems, isn't who, but why. Answering the question "Why are you in Hell?" is so important that it appears as a regular segment on the evening news in Hell. <br /><br />We also learned that Mr. Butler had uncovered some very interesting connections that have occurred in History. Allow me to quote, "There is only one degree of coital separation between JFK and Adolph Hitler." The link? Party girl and Nazi sympathizer/spy, Inga Arvad. The source? Al Gore's unfailingly accurate invention, the Internet. THAT bold statement turned some heads!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_Xt3_sBwkzgpVUSQ3KMqTpyonFL9DgBzL7wlz-ZAG743mftsdX8t_nkeCwb-ZMMf2bN1ad23dxINOUoIFRN_c1PHSEp9ucn_oc9jDTs_hv_n1SjOrwVK7b0AyAjE-0yk8l-cAQ/s1600-h/Photo0424.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448356627924038242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_Xt3_sBwkzgpVUSQ3KMqTpyonFL9DgBzL7wlz-ZAG743mftsdX8t_nkeCwb-ZMMf2bN1ad23dxINOUoIFRN_c1PHSEp9ucn_oc9jDTs_hv_n1SjOrwVK7b0AyAjE-0yk8l-cAQ/s400/Photo0424.jpg" /></a><br />Well, with information like that between the covers of "Hell", how could I resist? I bought the book. Had it signed by the author, took it back to my hotel room, and mortgaged an evening reading it.<br /><br />Have you ever heard the expression "Christ on a bike!"? Have you ever meant it? How about "Christ on Rocket ship escaping Hell with Richard Milhaus Nixon!"? Before you think that "Hell" is SciFi or something, it should be said that they don't actually make it. Turns out that they don't make it because this story so bad it has it's own explosive gravity. <br /><br />The part that really finished the story for me was a consumptive sex scene that was about as far from "bawdy romp" as the Donner's Party in the Sierra Nevadas was from a dinner table. If you're going to use a severed human penis as an after dinner mint, at least say it with a smile.<br /><br />The flying drop kick thing in the first paragraph above is paraphrased very loosely from an piece Tom Archdeacon wrote about a professional wrestling event way, way back on Feb 20, 1987 for the Miami News. When I compare that newspaper article to Robert Olen Butler's book "Hell", I can see that the format of the material is different, but not it's subject. A more succinct and gripping telling of Mr. Butler's story could only have been made by sticking your tongue between your lips and blowing though them to produce a loud, sloppy-wet, and flatulent blubbering. <br /><br />Hell? Yes. "Hell"? No.Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-3390830469739352652010-03-13T21:05:00.000-08:002010-03-13T21:22:13.141-08:00The Pub<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPL4Hw7r5zxTHC6Bsvtcvb6l7LAUPRr6qTL5kVORhFUScvieIspGwQjcpJZ28tVQhdgxVCbRas-TtdlQ7eoksj1PIwtGZupKeLmGrj28JvrnYLV2BUp9OcYiepy3X18t6z3KVIw/s1600-h/Photo0407.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448352047721326114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPL4Hw7r5zxTHC6Bsvtcvb6l7LAUPRr6qTL5kVORhFUScvieIspGwQjcpJZ28tVQhdgxVCbRas-TtdlQ7eoksj1PIwtGZupKeLmGrj28JvrnYLV2BUp9OcYiepy3X18t6z3KVIw/s400/Photo0407.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thegreene.com/tenant.cfm?tenantid=87">The Pub</a> in Beavercreek, Ohio, may be the popular spot in town. It's THAT hard to get a table anyway. We have tried a couple of nights per week for a month now and finally managed to get a seat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRu7TgorJ7IJqQYIcoVgMirFqoC_ssoGxW_HP0ZHhq_7Hw7gD2OWtc0xobPsfjUK9xj7exqFdBDd9iU5P0wn8SZU_zpjtKJhMKIEYmcV_m4z-1PckyQxHsf6jsBktNEuM7BYPqQ/s1600-h/Photo0406.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448351932139068722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRu7TgorJ7IJqQYIcoVgMirFqoC_ssoGxW_HP0ZHhq_7Hw7gD2OWtc0xobPsfjUK9xj7exqFdBDd9iU5P0wn8SZU_zpjtKJhMKIEYmcV_m4z-1PckyQxHsf6jsBktNEuM7BYPqQ/s400/Photo0406.jpg" /></a><br />They try very, very hard to be "Authentic British". That's printed on the walls and even on the tickets you get at the end of the evening. Yes, there's soccer on the televisions, posters of British musical groups on the walls, and the wait staff all wear kilts. British. OK, one final test - is there any German beer on the menu? Hell no! Yep, they're British.<br /><br />The beer menu is short, sweet and tasty. The food menu is even better.Their signature dishes include two heavy hitters. First, the pot roast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6LeD1iu3Nf47pumrOWjuivFBR3jDPNsnyTmXArXhaK3PWgt1j2sE2xsy-jzsCYUemVcx0GhNWlcsPkzATrjjgZqGuqCPjqsZBI1l1MnaJ2ORJh-yyQEvAYnWuJBvH5DrO5Gf2g/s1600-h/Photo0405.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448351778895363986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6LeD1iu3Nf47pumrOWjuivFBR3jDPNsnyTmXArXhaK3PWgt1j2sE2xsy-jzsCYUemVcx0GhNWlcsPkzATrjjgZqGuqCPjqsZBI1l1MnaJ2ORJh-yyQEvAYnWuJBvH5DrO5Gf2g/s400/Photo0405.jpg" /></a><br />The other is the Shepherd's Pie.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t5deOm2azz70d2wwwZVNxBhBAWv16zf-3mYsfaQIBylMPQE_duJUnRCre_tPNXcmCMThMwjlzdp2ELV9t67e_-pm4_dsRy0LLaHIBz_fmt4czB5234q6IEcDWlbVf3ut4fEQXQ/s1600-h/Photo0404.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448351605894561506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t5deOm2azz70d2wwwZVNxBhBAWv16zf-3mYsfaQIBylMPQE_duJUnRCre_tPNXcmCMThMwjlzdp2ELV9t67e_-pm4_dsRy0LLaHIBz_fmt4czB5234q6IEcDWlbVf3ut4fEQXQ/s400/Photo0404.jpg" /></a><br />Yes, it was good, right down to the very last bite. If you can ever get a seat in the place, I recommend it. If you have no patience for lines, look elsewhere ... it's your loss.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><strong>The Pub</strong></span><br />39 Greene Boulevard,<br />Dayton, Ohio<br />(937) 320-1199Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32810124.post-22443602589796648502010-03-10T18:45:00.000-08:002010-03-10T19:43:12.780-08:00Just Say No Potato Gnocchi Con Pesto<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNOCAZbk65WTLhyFJXTldFyMY6jGorLo-ff2vP9ATpROifXRvzNXqUtYGVqiF0GjFo8fWFwjsDRgPMz1jv6g5LoiCLXhNDtl_zwLw716erU4JF3ZQJTCi0DLPYIKww5Xj6QVwpw/s1600-h/Photo0394.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNOCAZbk65WTLhyFJXTldFyMY6jGorLo-ff2vP9ATpROifXRvzNXqUtYGVqiF0GjFo8fWFwjsDRgPMz1jv6g5LoiCLXhNDtl_zwLw716erU4JF3ZQJTCi0DLPYIKww5Xj6QVwpw/s400/Photo0394.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447214251500095874" /></a><br /><br />Yuck! Gnocchi with pesto is horrible. I've learned a new Italian phrase because of it. Dica appena no gnocchi con pesto. It means "Just Say No Potato Gnocchi Con Pesto." I picked the green coated chicken bits out of this dish and couldn't bear to finish. Yuck!Skeeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14187266415669955956noreply@blogger.com8